Let’s Talk Politics (Kidding!)

I can think of a boatload of controversial subjects that are not advisable to bring up in polite dinner conversation. The granddaddy of all taboo topics is…. (drumroll, por favor) POLITICS. Yes, I did scream that. And speaking of all caps, I’ve radically curtailed my social media footprint just so I don’t have to have unsolicited opinions thrown in my face (book).

Societal noise aside, I still think it’s important to take part in the political process. Specifically: voting. More specifically: voting in local elections.

Last year, an election for the Virginia House of Delegates ended in a tie. While you may think that’s a rarity, there was a tie for the same seat back in 1971. And in 1996, John McIntyre and Hal Wick tied for the South Dakota House of Representatives before a recount. Two years later, they tied again.

In each of these cases, just one person could have swung the election! These are but a sampling of many razor-tight races through history.

I speak for myself, but I think it’s safe to say I’m not in the minority when it comes to my disdain for campaign signs that litter roadways and the campaign commercials that pollute my TV. It seems to get worse every year. I wish candidates (and their PACs) would just stick to the agenda and leave the mud wrestling to the pigs.

Well, that’s just how politics work. Politics and nasty accusations, often containing about as much truth as Coca-Cola has fruit juice, have been going on since the dawn of democracy. There are just more places to sling it these days.

I’ll have a hard time forgetting the upcoming Arizona congressional and U.S. senate primaries this year. They both fall on Aug. 28, which just so happens to be my birthday.

Despite all the noise, I’ll continue to vote proudly and punctually (sometimes even early, which is pretty darned easy). I just don’t plan to talk about it.

Former contractor, former home inspector and funny guy, Chris Prickett is owner and designated broker of Prickett Realty. A New Jersey native, Prickett has been a top-producing REALTOR® in North Phoenix over the last 10 years. He has been a columnist for 13 years. Over the Prickett Fence is published weekly by In&Out Publications.

Chris Prickett

Former contractor, former home inspector and funny guy, Chris Prickett is owner and designated broker of Prickett Realty. A New Jersey native, Prickett has been a top-producing REALTOR® in North Phoenix over the last 10 years. He has been a columnist for 13 years. Over the Prickett Fence is published weekly by In&Out Publications.